Improvement in seed-planters



C. E, PATRIG. `2 Sheets-Sheet 1;- Seed-Planter,

No. 208,262. -Patented'Se'pL 24, |8758.

WIZWSSES.-

2 Shets-Sheet VG. E. PATRIC Seed-Planter.

No. 208,262.. Patented sept. 24,1878.

WI TJV' ES SES:

o-UTHOGRAFHER. WASMGTON, D C.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OEEIoE.

CHARLES E. PATRIO, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEED-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part ofLctters Patent N0. 208,269, dated September24, 1878; application filed October 15, 1877.

Springield,in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented newand useful`Improvements in Seed-Planters, and that the following is afull and exact description of the same. v

This invention relates to that class of seeddistributers known asforce-feed seed-distributers,77 for improvements in which class LettersPatent were granted to me January 25, A. D. 1875, and reissued, No.7,875, September 4,1877; and it consists, first, in the specialconstruction of the parts connecting the valve and rock-shaft, as shown;second, in the dishing form of the web of the distribliter-wheel, togive a lateral enlargement to the seed-channel both ways as the valve israised.

That others may fully understand my invention, I will particularlydescribe it, havingreference to the accompanying drawings, where- 1n-Figure 1 represents, in perspective, a seeding-machine t-ted accordingto my invention. Fig. 2 represents, in perspective, one of mydistributers, the frame of the hopper being broken away for the purposeof exposing the same. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Figs. 4 and 5represent different methods of `arranging the rock-shaft bearin gs, andFig. 6 is a rear elevation and vertical section of two distributers inworking position.

The seed-hopper A does not differ materiallyr from those heretofore inuse. It is mounted upon a suitable frame, provided with bearing anddriving wheels B B, and may be provided with any or all the attachmentsfor sowing grass-seed, fertilizers, &c., and with devices for liftingthe hoes, surveyors, uc., which may be customary or desirable. Theseparts are all in common use and do not require here any further mention,because they are not concerned with the improvements described andcovered by this patent.

D is the distributer-case, and E is the feedwheehhaving the usualperipheral iiange projecting laterally, with transverse ribs on theinner periphery. The case D and its inclosed feed-wheel (shown in Figs.2 and 3) is one of a series secured in line to the bottoni of thefeedhopper A, as shown in Fig. 1. Ihemembers of said series beingduplicates of each other the description of one of said cases and theparts connecting it with the rock-shaft, which is common to all of them,will sufce for all of said members.

`The case D is cast in two parts, which are subsequently securedtogether by screws or rivets at two or more points around the edge. Thewheel E may be entirely inclosed therein; but I prefer to expose theedge thereof, and thereby make the wheel more accessible if it becomesclogged by dirtaccumulated between its sides and the case. The case Dforms a hopper or chute with a constantly-diminishing cross-section,down which the grain flows to the interior of the Wheel, whereby it islifted and discharged over the open edge of said case at the point d,whence it falls into the chute T, which is attached to the projectinglugs t t of the case D, and through the usual drill-tube to the ground.

'Ihe regulator-valve F is located in the seedchannel within the wheel E,and has its pivotal bearing in the plate of the case D, outside of kthemain shaft G, so that as said valve moves upon its pivot-bearing itsfree end will approach or recede from the peripheral flange of thedistributer-wheel E. It may be adj usted in various positions to varythe capacity of the seed-channel and regulate the quantity of seeddischarged by a given number of Vrevolutions of the feed-wheel. Therequired adjustment of the valve is, as shown herein, effected by meansof a rock-shaft bearing a slotted arm through the slot of which a pinprojects, said'pin being connected with the said valve, so as to move itand control it as said arm is moved by its rock-shaft.

It is evident this mode of construction and operation may be eected invarious ways but the way preferred by me is that which I show and willnow describe, though I do not propose to limit myself thereto.

The valve F is mounted upon the spindle f, the axis whereof is parallelwith the axis of the main shaft G, upon which all the wheels E of theseries are mounted, and by which they are all rotated. The spindle j' isprovided on its outer end with a lever, H, whereby said spindle and thevalve F may be rotated. The shaft G takes motion from the wheels B B,either directly or through intermediate gears.

rlhe rock-shaft I passes in front of all the distributers of the series,and is mounted in suitable bearings. These bearings may be arranged invarious ways, some of which are shown in the drawings appendedhereto-viz., the bearing may be in brackets J, secured to the bottom ofthe hopper A, between the distributers, but the bearing preferred is inbracket k, cast with the distributer-case, and secured by movable caps ac, as shown in Figs. 4t and 5, or in any other suitable way which willpermit the ready removal of said shaft. It is not required that saidbearings shall be so numerous as the distributers.

An arm, L, is mounted upon the rock-shaft I, and secured thereto adjustably by means of a set-screw or other suitable device. When therock-shaft and other parts are all in place the several arms L may bethen adjusted, and secured in position by tighteningr up the setscrew;and thereafter, if it becomes necessary to remove said rock-shaft forany purpose, it may be removed and replaced, being detached from thepivoted gates by an endwise movement, without disturbing any of saidadjustments. At its outer end it is coupled with the arm H, so that asthe rock-shaft is rotated said arm will be moved also, a-nd theadjustment of the valve F will be changed correspondingly.

The coupling of the lever H and the arm L is effected by a pin in theone working in a corresponding slot in the other; and I find itadvantageous to locate the pin u in the end of the arm H and make theslot p in the arm L, as shown. These parts should tit with reasonablesnugness; and, if it is found to be desirable, the pin can be madeconical, as shown in Fig. 2, or adjustable, or in other known ways, sothat wear may be compensated for and undue lost motion prevented.

At the end or elsewhere upon the hopper A a dial, Q, maybe placed, thegraduations whereof will indicate the positions of the severalregulator-valves F and the quantity of seed the feed-wheels willdischarge per acre at any particular adjustment. An index-hand, R, isarranged to sweep over said dial, and said hand is coupled to therock-shaft I, so as to receive motion therefrom, and when so moved toindicate upon the dial the positions of the several valves.

The wheel E is made slightly dishing, as shown in Fig. 6, and thelateral peripheral lian ge is made with an outwa-rd ilare orinclination, so that the grain falls readily out at the edge when thepoint d is reached. The case D at the part d also is concave on theinner side, so that the channel for the passage of seed between the webof the wheel E and the side of the case D at the point cl opposite tosaid wheel increases laterally as the valve F is moved away from theperiphery of the wheel, and thereby said wheel is, without change ofspeed, enabled to deliver either large or small seed-say, from wheat tooats or corn. The upper edge of the case on the wheel side is extendedupward above the level of the lower surface of the hopper-bottom, andhas a flange or rib, in, which partly covers the edge of the wheel E. Bythis structure the wheel E is practically projected upward into thehopper A, and enabled to act as an agitator upon the grain at the bottomof the hopper to insure its free flow down into the distributer hopperor case D, the mouth of which is considerably wider and more open thanheretofore, and the upward extension of the back plate, with its flange,completely covers the back of the wheel, and prevents the access ofdirt, 85e., if from shrinkage or other cause the iron case D and thewooden bottom of the hopper should separate behind the wheel. Radialopenings y are made in the back plate of the case D for the purpose ofexposing the back surface of the wheel E and permitting the removal ofdirt or other obstruct-ive matter which may find its way between theback of said wheel and the said back plate.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. The verticalforce-feed wheel E, having alateral peripheral lian ge, and theregulatorvalve F, located within said seed-channel, for the purpose setforth, and provided with au arm, H, attached to the outer end of thevalvespindle f, combined with the arm L, adjustably xed upon therock-shaft I, said arms H and L being coupled directly by means of thepin n and slot p, as described.

2. The distributer-wheel E, having a lateral peripheral flange, and madewith its web concave or dishing within, combined with the case D, madeconcave in an opposite direction at the point of discharge d, and thepivoted valve F, substantially for the purpose set forth.

3. Combined with the rock-sha-ft I, provided with adjustable arms foractuating the separately-pivoted gages F, the open bearings 7s, castwith and a part of the seed-cup plate D, and the removable caps u,pivoted to said plate above the bearings k, and secured in position bytightening the pivot-screw, as shown.

C. E. PATRIC.

\Vit1iesses:

A. l). LINN COCHRAN, Roer. C. RoDenRs.

